It starts

First the rat-proof feeder, then a flat-pack coop. Slowly, piece by piece, the plans came together. There was painting to be done, and food to be bought; equipment to assemble and a run to set up.

Then it arrived.
The day finally came.

We collected our chicks and brought them home, popped them in the coop and walked away. They seemed a little shocked at the removal from what they knew, but we hoped that would not last long.

The next morning we opened the door and retreated to watch for who would be brave enough to explore this new world first.

A head appeared,
and then a foot.
A shadow in the doorway -
who would it be?

As the hen made a first attempt at the ramp, the sunlight caught a golden sheen and there was Lemon, leading the way. The other three soon followed and tucked into the grass with great gusto. We breathed a sigh of relief - so far, so good. They had survived the journey and may yet come to enjoy the life of a suburban hen.

Introducing...

Over many years and countless conversations, my husband and I have been intrigued by the idea of keeping chickens in our back garden. The time is now right for us to change these day-dreams into a reality and so I want to introduce you to the four new girls in our lives:

Pepper, our light Sussex

Lemon, our gold laced Orpington

Frog, our chocolate Wyandotte bantam

and

Fizzy, our silver laced Orpington bantam

My intention is to keep you updated about the ins and outs, ups and downs and general mayhem that will undoubtedly ensue as we learn what it means to be urban chicken keepers. Watch this space!